Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Blind River has been approved for a low-cost loan of $49.5 million from CMHC’s Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program (MILP), to construct a solar energy generating facility. The project includes the installation of approximately 45,000 solar panels on 285 towers over an area of 120 acres and will provide the residents of Blind River with a low-cost renewable energy supply.

“Our Government understands the importance of infrastructure in maintaining strong and prosperous communities,” said MP Rickford. “This program is opening the door for municipalities to meet their housing-related infrastructure needs. Canada’s Economic Action Plan will continue to create jobs, provide economic stimulus for communities in all corners of the country, and support Canadian workers and families.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides up to $2 billion in direct low-cost loans to municipalities, over two years, for housing-related infrastructure projects through the MILP. Municipal infrastructure loans are available to any municipality in Canada and provide a new source of funds for municipalities to invest in housing-related infrastructure projects. These low cost loans can also be used by municipalities to fund their contribution for cost-shared federal infrastructure programming.

“The Town of Blind River is very excited about the development of the Blind River Solar Generating Facility. With the tremendous assistance of the CMHC, our community takes a giant step forward into a stronger, greener future,” said Mayor Robert Gallagher.

Eligible projects include infrastructure related to housing services such as water, power generation and waste services, as well as local transportation infrastructure within and into residential areas, such as roads, sidewalks, lighting and green space.

As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.

MP Stephen Woodworth today announced that a housing co-operative located in Kitchener will receive almost $206,000 through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, as part of the Government of Canada’s social housing renovation and retrofit investments.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said MP Woodworth. “Funding renovation and retrofit projects, like this one, will not only improve the quality of life of its residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable, but it will also help stimulate the local economy and create local jobs.”

The announcement was made at the Bread & Roses Co-operative Homes by Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

The Government of Canada, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

Bread and Roses Cooperative Homes will receive a contribution of almost $206,000 from the Government of Canada to complete various interior and exterior upgrades including heating, ventilation and door replacement.

“We congratulate and thank the federal government, MP Stephen Woodworth and CMHC for making a sound investment to help ensure that this affordable community is preserved as a legacy for the long-term benefit of its residents, “ said Ken Elliott, President of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. “Today’s announcement is an excellent example of stimulus funding that works towards preserving jobs, assisting the local economy, and protecting valuable affordable housing assets for Canadians.”

“The CEAP Renovation and Retrofit funding has had a great impact on Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes” said Sahver Kuzucuoglu, Vice-President, Board of Directors, Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes. “We were very pleased to access this funding through CMHC to carry out necessary repairs which will ensure our cooperative’s longevity”.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, announced today that the governments of Canada and Quebec concluded an agreement concerning the implementation in Quebec of CMHC’s Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program (MILP) for housing-related infrastructure projects.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides up to $2 billion in direct low-cost loans to municipalities, over two years, for housing-related infrastructure projects through the MILP. Under the agreement, Quebec municipalities can submit applications directly to Financement-Québec to obtain low-cost loans that can be used to finance these projects.

These low-cost loans will significantly reduce the cost of borrowing for municipalities, which can use the funds to invest directly in housing-related infrastructure projects, including eligible work performed under cost-shared federal and Quebec infrastructure programs.

“Our government understands the importance of infrastructure in maintaining strong and prosperous communities,” said Minister Finley. “This program gives municipalities in Quebec access to the low-cost funding they need to move forward quickly on housing-related infrastructure projects. These projects will also stimulate job creation in communities across Canada.”

“This new partnership targets the modernization and improvement of housing-related municipal infrastructure. Our government is moving forward and stepping up efforts to ensure that Quebec municipalities have modern and sustainable infrastructure — indispensable tools to take up the challenges of the future in order to enhance the quality of life ,” said Minister Lessard.

Eligible municipal infrastructure projects must be related to new or existing residential areas and contribute to their effective servicing. These projects include, for example, infrastructure related to the provision of housing services, such as water, wastewater and solid waste services; power generation; local transportation infrastructure within or into residential areas, such as roads, bridges and tunnels; and residential sidewalks, lighting, pathways, landscaping and green space.

As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.

Financement-Québec is an agency of the Government of Quebec that offers financing to Quebec’s parapublic entities, such as school boards, CEGEPs, universities, hospitals and municipalities.

The Government of Canada announced today that three co-operatives located in Brantford and Hamilton will receive more than $270,000 through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, as part of the social housing renovation and retrofit investments.

The announcement was made at Applegate Co-operative Housing in Brantford by Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said MP McColeman. “Funding renovation and retrofit projects, like this one, will not only improve the quality of life of its residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable, but it will also help stimulate the local economy and create local jobs.”

The Government of Canada, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, announced $1 billion for social housing renovation and retrofit. Of the $1 billion, $850 million is being delivered by provinces and territories on a cost-matched basis for existing federally assisted social housing projects which they administer on behalf of the partnership. The remaining $150 million is being delivered by CMHC for existing federally assisted off-reserve housing which it directly administers. Eligible repairs include general improvements, energy efficiency upgrades or conversions, and modifications in support of persons with disabilities.

The housing co-operatives that will receive contributions from the Government of Canada being announced today are:
Applegate Co-operative Housing (Brantford) $74,886
Wicklow Co-operative Homes (Brantford) $97,069
Appleridge Co-operative Homes Inc. (Hamilton) $99,144

“We applaud and thank the federal government, MP McColeman and CMHC for making a solid investment to help renovate and retrofit these affordable homes,” said Ken Elliott, President of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. “Today’s announcement for those three non-profit housing co-operatives is an excellent example of stimulus funding that works towards preserving jobs, assisting the local economy and protecting valuable affordable housing assets for Canadians.”

“We are very pleased to be receiving the Renovation and Retrofit grant through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve our cooperative,” said Maureen Zotzman, President, Applegate Co-operative Homes Incorporated. “These significant renovations will have a tremendous positive impact for our members and their quality of life.”

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $800,000 as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for First Nation communities in the Okanagan – Coquihalla region in British Columbia.

The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia – Pacific Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in British Columbia, “said Minister Day.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $50 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in British Columbia to address immediate housing needs.

Specifically, CMHC will allocate $812,706 to retrofit 71 housing units on-reserve in the Okanagan – Coquihalla region.

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $530,000 as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for First Nation communities in the Cariboo – Prince George region of British Columbia.

Dick M. Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo – Prince George, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in British Columbia,” said MP Harris.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $50 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in British Columbia to address immediate housing needs.

Specifically, CMHC will allocate $538,335 to retrofit 37 housing units on-reserve in the Cariboo – Prince George region.

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of more than $475,000 as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for First Nation communities in the Okanagan – Shuswap region of British Columbia.

Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan – Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in British Columbia,” said MP Mayes.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $50 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in British Columbia to address immediate housing needs.

Specifically, CMHC will allocate $475,797 to retrofit 50 housing units on-reserve in the Okanagan – Shuswap region.

The Government of Canada announced today an investment of $20.7 million, as part of the year one funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to improve housing conditions for First Nation communities across Saskatchewan.

The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement along with members of the Whitecap Dakota community.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Saskatchewan,” said Minister Yelich.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $60 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Saskatchewan to address immediate housing needs.

CMHC will allocate more than $9.1 million to retrofit over 650 housing units on-reserve in Saskatchewan, as well as $11.5 million for subsidy associated with 63 new housing units to be constructed in seven First Nations communities in Saskatchewan.

“Our First Nation is very pleased to be part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Greater energy efficiency is important to every one of the family members who live in these retrofitted homes. And this investment is also very important to our Whitecap community which continues to grow,” said Chief Darcy Bear, Whitecap Dakota. “In order to ensure the work could be undertaken on time and completed on schedule, we have witnessed yet another positive outcome of this investment with the creation of Whitecap Construction, the community owned company that is undertaking the construction project. Our families, our workforce with its journeymen and apprentices, along with our entire community is, by far, the better for this project.”

Bernard Généreux, Member of Parliament for Montmagny – L’Islet – Kamouraska – Rivière-du-Loup, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), made the announcement today, along with Paul Émile Ottawa, Chief of the Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan, on behalf of Eva Ottawa, Grand Chief of the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw.

“Our Government’s Economic Action Plan is creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and improving housing conditions for First Nation communities in Quebec,” said MP Généreux.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed $400 million over two years to help First Nation communities build needed new housing, repair and remediate existing non-profit housing for their members, and complement housing programs offered by CMHC. This investment will also provide an economic stimulus for many First Nations and surrounding areas by creating jobs.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, some $45 million in federal investments will be made available to First Nations in Quebec to address immediate housing needs.

CMHC is allocating more than $1.6 million to Opitciwan and Manawan for the construction of three new social housing units and to retrofit 53 existing social housing units. Listuguj and Gesgapegiag are receiving $664,500 for the construction of two new social housing units and to retrofit 41 existing social housing units. This funding will go along way to help improve housing conditions in these First Nation communities.

“Responding to the housing needs of our people remains our top priority. What has been accomplished in the Atikamekw communities thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan is very commendable and greatly appreciated,” said Grand Chief Ottawa.

More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

“Our government is dedicated to meeting the increased demand for student housing across the country” said Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West. “We’re helping developers and borrowers access competitive interest rates for the life of the mortgage, benefit from greater financing choices and lower renewal risk. Our government is supporting students and creating jobs in university and college communities across the country.”

The Government of Canada will help finance loans of up to 85 per cent of the lending value for the construction, purchase or refinancing of housing purposely built for students on or off campus through CMHC’s Mortgage Loan Insurance for multi-unit student housing. This initiative supports the housing needs of Canadian publicly funded educational institutions, including universities and colleges.

The demand for student housing is anticipated to continue to increase for an extended period as a result of changing demographics, forecasted enrolment figures and continued growth in international students.

“Today’s announcement is good news and will help developers in Canada respond to the housing needs of students,” said Ray Stanton, President of London Property Corporation.

The Government of Canada has taken additional measures to help Canadian families. As of August 1, 2009, new federal student financial assistance measures — the Canada Student Grants Program and the Repayment Assistance Plan — are helping students and families access postsecondary education and better manage their student loan debt. To find out more about how the Government of Canada is helping students achieve their educational goals, visit CanLearn.ca.

As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.